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By: Associated Press
August 15, 2016
APOPKA, Fla. (AP) -- With Florida's iconic citrus industry struggling from a bacterial disease, some farmers are eyeing a new niche crop that taps into the country's burgeoning beer-brewing business: hops.
Traditionally, Florida was considered too hot and humid to grow hops. About 95-percent of U.S. hops are grown in the cooler climes of Washington and the Pacific Northwest.
But a craft brewing explosion has pushed demand sky high, and as a result, shortages of popular hop varieties are common for smaller breweries.
University of Florida horticulturist Brian Pearson began doing research on a few hop plants 3 years ago.
Now he has hundreds of thriving plants, and there is some hope that Florida may have found a new niche crop.
Still, while promising, Pearson says more research is needed before Florida's hops industry can take off.

domain: news


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Wahlburgers and Bass Pro Shops announced that the highly anticipated Wahlburgers Wild location at Bass Pro Shops at The Pyramid will be opening this summer. As the first Wahlburgers venue in Tennessee and first-ever inside a Bass Pro Shops location, Wahlburgers Wild embraces the magic of the great outdoors to provide a one-of-a-kind dining experience.
The popular casual dining concept founded by brothers Mark, Donnie, and Executive Chef Paul Wahlberg, and subject of A&E Network’s Emmy-nominated reality show for ten seasons, will feature unique menu items that complement the wilderness lodge theme found inside Bass Pro Shops destination retail stores.
Emphasizing high-quality, delicious food, Chef Paul’s recipes stem from family favorite dishes that were a staple in his childhood, with some new added twists! Guests can expect a backcountry retreat when dining at Wahlburgers Wild with everything from their gator bites and venison chili to the bison burger and venison bratwurst. Guests can also enjoy frothy house-made shakes for dessert. Served in a rustic setting that celebrates the untamed beauty of nature, Wahlburgers Wild is a destination for fishing, boating, hunting, and camping enthusiasts or anyone looking to embark on a vibrant culinary adventure.
“We’re so excited to bring Wahlburgers Wild to Memphis and look forward to working with everyone at Bass Pro Shops to deliver an incredible experience to our guests,” says Chef Paul Wahlberg.
Envisioned by noted conservationist and Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris, who has been referred to as the Walt Disney of the outdoors, Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid is located inside a massive, transformed sports arena on the banks of the Mississippi River in Memphis, Tennessee. In addition to a vast assortment of outdoor gear, the Pyramid includes an “underwater” bowling alley, a wilderness hotel called Big Cypress Lodge, nearly 600,000 gallons of water features, a cypress swamp with 100-foot-tall trees, the interactive Ducks Unlimited Waterfowling Heritage Center, and a breathtaking glass-floored cantilevering observation deck at the top of the 32-story steel structure that offers one-of-a-kind views of downtown Memphis and the Mississippi River.
The 130-seat restaurant will occupy 2,900 square feet inside the Pyramid. The menu, available for both lunch and dinner, will also be available as a room service amenity for guests staying at Big Cypress Lodge, an outdoor-themed lodge also located in The Pyramid. In addition to room service, Wahlburgers Wild will be available for hotel catering events, and boast a private elevator directly to the lodge for guests. The restaurant will join Big Cypress Lodge’s three current over-the-top dining options, The Lookout, Fishbowl, and Mississippi Terrace.
“Wahlburgers Wild will continue to help set Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid apart as a world-class destination for everyone who loves the outdoors,” says Johnny Morris. “With a grand opening on track for later this summer, we couldn’t be more excited to share this incredible concept with our customers and guests.”
Guests who join the WahlClub rewards program by signing up for the Wahlburgers App will also be privy to exclusive content, promotions, and can redeem points for free food, merchandise, and other fun surprises.
Morris adds, “Wahlburgers makes the world’s best hamburgers! We are very proud to have the opportunity to serve them to our customers in such a remarkable setting on the Mississippi River.”
The partnership between Wahlburgers and Bass Pro Shops expands on a cherished friendship between noted conservationist and Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris and superstar Mark Wahlberg. Together, the two have repeatedly teamed up to make a positive difference for causes ranging from advancing conservation, honoring military veterans and supporting disaster relief efforts.
- In 2017, Wahlberg amazed onlookers and generated worldwide attention for conservation when he donned a wetsuit and took a dive inside a two-story saltwater aquarium at the grand opening of Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri.
- Wahlberg participated in a celebrity shootout golf event hosted by Morris at Bass Pro Shops’ Big Cedar Lodge in 2018 and 2019, raising funds to honor military veterans and their families.
- Mark also helped Johnny launch Anglers for the Bahamas, a campaign that raised millions of dollars for relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Dorian’s devastation.


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A public health professor is calling for national restrictions on Roundup weed killer.
- Monsanto slammed with $439m verdict in Roundup cancer trial
- Monsanto’s pesticide 'unlikely to cause cancer'
- RoundUp probably doesn't cause cancer - study
Monsanto, the makers of the herbicide, were ordered to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to Dewayne Johnson, a groundskeeper who developed cancer.
Monsanto intends to appeal the decision, but in the meantime, what does it mean for Kiwis using the same product?
Massey University Centre for Public Health Research professor John Potter told The AM Show glyphosate - a key ingredient in Roundup - has officially been designated a "probable carcinogen" by the cancer research arm of the World Health Organisation.
German company Bayer, who owns agriculture giant Monsanto, says herbicides containing glyphosate are safe.
"There are a large number of countries who have banned or restricted the use of it," Mr Potter said.
And yet, in New Zealand there are no restrictions on the product.
"A lot of people assume that because it's so widely available and so widely used, that there are no problems with it," Mr Potter said.
"We need to begin to think seriously about whether it should be banned for domestic use, which is probably a good step."
He also said councils who use the weed killer on verges, greens and schools should reconsider their use, as should wider agriculture businesses who use it.
"Those council and agriculture workers are the most exposed because they're using it regularly. Often the effects of these things are cumulative."
After three days of deliberations, a San Francisco jury awarded Dewayne Johnson US$250 million (NZ$380 million) in punitive damages and around US$39 million (NZ$59 million) in compensatory damages.
Now, his victory could pave the way for thousands of other cases alleging the glyphosate-based herbicide causes non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Mr Potter says Roundup is the most widely used herbicide in the world.
"I don't know what the rules are about disposing of it but we'd have to ask EPA [Environmental Protection Agency]. It'd be a good idea to see it off the shelves at the supermarkets and Mitre 10 and so on."
Mr Potter said if plants become resistant to Roundup, the next strongest weed killer is 2,4-D. 2,4-D is an ingredient used in Agent Orange, a herbicide widely weaponised during the Vietnam War.


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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Stephen M. Monroe
NORWALK, CT – August 26, 2015 – Inc. magazine has recognized Irving Levin Associates on its 34th annual Inc. 5000, an exclusive ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. Irving Levin Associates made the 2015 Inc. 5000 list with three-year sales growth of 59%.
Irving Levin Associates was the fastest growing media company in Connecticut to make the Inc. 5000 list, and only 2 media companies in the state made the Inc. 5000 list. The list represents the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy—America’s independent entrepreneurs.
“For 34 years, Inc. has welcomed the fastest-growing private companies in America into a very exclusive club. As an Inc. 5000 honoree, Irving Levin Associates now shares a pedigree with Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, GoPro, Timberland, Clif Bar, Patagonia, Oracle and other notable alumni…You are in good company-which is exactly where you belong … Congratulations to you and your team,” wrote Eric Schurenberg, President and Editor-in-Chief of Inc. magazine
Publisher and Partner, Eleanor Meredith says, “We are honored to be one of only 60 media companies nationwide to make the Inc. 5000 list. And very proud to be one of only 49 Connecticut businesses from all industries recognized for this award. We’ve been strategically and organically growing our operations this year, and it’s great to be recognized for our accomplishments and honored among this elite group.”
Partner and Managing Editor, Steve Monroe added, “Health care and senior care have been hot topics, and these are areas our editorial staff has covered for decades. This specialization has certainly benefited our customers, and it has allowed us to have a uniquely focused growth path.”
Irving Levin Associates, Inc., headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut, is the leading publisher of business intelligence for investors in the senior care and healthcare merger and acquisition markets. Since 1948, this privately held corporation has provided Wall Street investors and senior and health care operators with market intelligence not found in mainstream media outlets through financial newsletters, research reports, webinars and merger and acquisition databases.
The 2015 Inc. 5000 list is available online at Inc.com and the top 500 companies are featured in the September issue of Inc.
For More Information about Irving Levin Associates
For More Information about the Partners:
Eleanor Meredith Visit: http://www.eleanormeredith.org/
Steve Monroe Visit: http://www.levinassociates.com/staff/stephen-monroe
* To receive this press release via email, send a message to email@example.com
Click here to get more information on any of our Publications.


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E-commerce sales in Latin America increased by 60% in 2021, and in the case of Peru, events such as CyberWow contributed to that growth. With this high expectation, the most important online trade event in the country returns, in its third edition of the year, with more than 200 participating brands, offering the public unmissable prices on their favorite products and services: technology, deco and home, fashion and beauty, health, travel and tourism, entertainment, sports and fitness, children’s, education, pets and much more.
When will the cyber Wow 2022 be?
This last edition of 2022 runs from October 24 to 28 and is an ideal opportunity for those who enjoy the World Cup, for those who are thinking of anticipating Christmas shopping, and those who are already planning their end-of-year trips and next vacations.
This new CyberWow brings as a novelty a special category for the World Cup, and another with offers with prices lower than S/.100.
Which companies will participate in the cyber Wow 2022?
During the five days of the event, it is expected to exceed 20 million visits to the portals of the participating businesses, among them: falabella.comRipley, Oeschle, Samsung, Reebok, Claro, Entel, Cassinelli, H&M, Superpet, Samsung, Lenovo, Coolbox, GMO, Electrolux, United Perfumeries, and more.
Also noteworthy is the participation of services such as: BCP, Banco Ripley, Diners Club International, Mastercard, Niubiz, Despegar, Viajes Falabella, Casa Andina, Cruz del Sur, Universidad Privada del Norte, among others.
Benefits of cyber Wow 2022
Expect 120% more transactions from participating merchants than a regular sales week. “CyberWow is an opportunity for businesses and entrepreneurial brands to have a platform where they can show their products and services to all Peruvians, who will be able to take advantage of this last edition of the year, having events such as the World Cup and Christmas preparations nearby.s” said Beatriz Hernández, executive director of IAB Peru.
It should be noted that product searches grow 4 times more during these times of the year, and 8 out of 10 people who enter the event do research before buying, with the most searched categories being: technology, fashion, beauty and travel.


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Marcus Wareing interview
Marcus Wareing interview
The master chef tells Tina Lofthouse how lockdown brought his family together in the kitchen – inspiring a new cookbook, his admiration for artisan producers and his life in south west London…
When you are a top professional chef, possibly the last thing you want to do is cook at home. But for Marcus Wareing, the pandemic changed all that.
“I’ve never had three meals a day in my life and then the lockdown hit, all the family is at home, and suddenly it feels like you’re cooking and eating all the time,” Marcus reveals. “I might have cooked before at the weekends but this was quite strange – three meals a day, seven days a week, and so we all joined in with making our meals.”
“During the first lockdown, in particular, when it was hard to get ingredients, we looked in the fridge and the cupboards and made the most of what we had. Shopping became a once-a-week trip for many of us rather than shopping daily for what we felt like eating that night.” Marcus says that this approach, which is perhaps how most of our parents had shopped, is far more frugal, results in much less food waste and is better for the planet.
It can also result in some delicious new dishes we may never have even thought of making. The Wareing family’s experience has resulted in a new cookbook, Marcus’ Kitchen, with Marcus and his wife Jane writing down the recipes literally as they put them together through the pandemic. “We would experiment and we created some fantastic recipes such as a roasted cauliflower with a satay sauce,” says Marcus.
Their children, Jake, 19, Archie, 16, and Jessie, 13, all love to cook, too, and Marcus adds that it was wonderful when they took over cooking the entire dinner for the night. Marcus worked as a baker in his early career and has enjoyed passing on his skills to Jesse, who has taken on the role of the family’s baker. Meanwhile, Archie tends to be the breakfast chef, Jake is the meat chef.
The book is divided into quick recipes for when you’re pushed for time, weekend specials as well as tips on how to adapt the recipe to what you have and some handy techniques to learn. Marcus adds that the ingredients he wouldn’t want to be without are his seasonings and dried spices – and stock cubes. Something of a revelation for a top chef? “No professional chef makes their own stock at home,” he laughs.
The family divide their time between their houses in Wimbledon and Sussex. The latter has a well-stocked kitchen garden, a labour of love for Marcus, who is the son of a market gardener, and which proved more useful than ever in the pandemic when ingredients were short. The book reveals how to make the most of seasonal produce, with a winter favourite in the Wareing household being a braised cabbage in a warming broth.
The MasterChef: The Professionals judge, and chef patron of Michelin-starred Marcus at The Berkeley, says that cooking became a way for the family to unwind. “The pandemic has been a difficult period for everyone and, for us, we found that cooking was a nice release. It made life more fun.”
As restaurants were forced to close their doors, Marcus faced the same worries as chefs across the country. “It was horrible being closed. And you’re watching the stats on TV and you think, ‘when are we going to be able to do anything again?’ But as hard as that is, everyone’s in the same boat.”
It has been a rollercoaster for restaurants and their excitement at being able to reopen was shortlived, with the subsequent lockdowns over winter hitting hard. “The energy was amazing when we first reopened. And the atmosphere was incredible. The third lockdown was hell. It was tough. A lot of people left the industry and now can’t come back because of the restrictions. It has brought a huge amount of turmoil to every sector. But we manage our business accordingly with the team we have got. It’s frustrating, as business has never been stronger. People want to dine out and I could open eight days a week with all the demand.”
Marcus’ restaurant The Gilbert Scott, at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, closed during lockdown but that was because of the planned end to a 10-year lease. “I had been there, done that, and it was great, there was never any aim to take it beyond 10 years,” says Marcus.
Marcus was also kept busy with filming MasterChef, which was able to continue through the lockdowns with social distancing in place. He says that the pandemic has made everyone reflect on life and this came through in MasterChef with many of the contestants looking in particular at their heritage and bringing this into their cooking. “It’s exciting when you see a chef that has lived here all their life bringing flavours of their heritage to their dishes.”
He also took stock in lockdown – looking at how to continue to diversify his career. “I’m 51, have one restaurant to focus on and have a whole new career in books and TV. I also have an apprenticeship scheme within the Compass Group, mentoring the top 16 chefs. I absolutely love what I do. I have achieved everything I wanted to and more than I ever thought I would.”
He’d like his children to work in the industry, but not necessarily follow in his footsteps. “I worked 16 hours a day, six days a week for 30 years. That’s not a life but it was my lifestyle, and I had been doing that since I was 14. Those are long days – everyone says it must have been hard. But I chose that. I’ve had a fantastic career out of it and have absolutely no regrets. I had that way of life before everything. Everyone knows me as a chef first.”
Marcus is a patron of our Food and Culture Awards, which champion local producers, restaurants and associated businesses. He says: ‘I’ve always been a huge supporter of buying from local businesses and artisans. South west London and Surrey has an incredible offering, and we need to ensure we continue to support local restaurants, chefs and producers who are at the heart of our communities. These awards are a great way to give them the recognition they deserve.”
Christmas for Marcus will be spent at home. His restaurant will be open so he will be available in case he is needed. “We have family and friends around – we’re like an open house. I like the traditional Christmas dinner with turkey. As the legs need longer than the breast, my advice is to take them off, roll and stuff them and cook them separately. “
And, of course, we must try his delicious panettone bread and butter pudding, which is a perfect example of the ethos of the new book, creatively using up any leftovers. “I’d recommend people always read a recipe book before they start cooking to get the ideas and stories behind it. This is my eighth cookbook – it is Marcus in lockdown and it is a totally different way of cooking.”
- Marcus’ Kitchen, HarperCollins, £22.
Main image: Rebecca Cresta Photography


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Penang, 27 April 2012 – Get ready to experience the essence of a typical Malaysian lifestyle whilst satisfying your cravings for all your favourite Nestlé products this weekend, at the Nestlé Nourishing Malaysia Showcase, taking place at the Straits Quay Convention Centre. This year’s event promises to be a real treat to visitors as it returns in a bigger and better way to mark the Company’s 100 years anniversary in Malaysia.
The Showcase - which is aptly being held in Penang, where Nestlé first started as the Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company in 1912 – is uniquely different from the previous years. It takes visitors through the various scenarios in the everyday Malaysian life - from the classroom and playground, to the kitchen and kopitiam – demonstrating healthy lifestyles and activities in line with the Nestlé promise of “GOOD FOOD, GOOD LIFE”.
Throughout the weekend, there will be various activities that will appeal to all consumers and these include sessions to educate them on making healthy choices using food labels, a martial arts coaching clinic sponsored by MILO, cooking demonstrations using nutritious Nestlé products, a health-check area which will feature a calculator to determine the amount of sodium in your food, and special performances from the various Nestlé brands in the form of games and high energy dances.
“This year’s Showcase is a true celebration of how Nestlé has been an integral part in the lives of Malaysians over the last 100 years, as our brands such as MILO, MAGGI and NESCAFÉ, have over time, grown to become a way of life and can be found in almost every Malaysian home. That is why we are showcasing our products through lifestyle activities that all our consumers - be it schoolchildren, mothers, youth or the general consumers - can relate to,” said Mr. Peter R. Vogt, Managing Director of Nestlé Malaysia.
He was speaking at the opening of the Nestlé Nourishing Malaysia Showcase, which was officiated by the Governor of Penang, His Excellency Tun Dato’ Seri Utama (Dr.) Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Abbas together with Nestlé representative, Y.A.M Tan Sri Dato’ Syed Zainol Anwar Jamalullail, Chairman of Nestlé and Dato’ Frits van Dijk, a member of the Board of Directors of Nestlé Malaysia.
“We have decided to have this year’s showcase in Penang, as this is where we started our journey in this country back in 1912. Since then, we have grown by leaps and bounds, and this event is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to our consumers who have supported us - all these years. In addition to that, this showcase which promotes food, nutrition, health and wellness is testament of our commitment to continue providing GOOD FOOD, GOOD LIFE to them, as reflected in the theme of our 100 years celebrations, ‘100 Tahun Nestlé di sisimu’,” Vogt said.
“Apart from continuously renovating and innovating our products to improve their quality and nutritional value, we have always promoted nutritional awareness and active lifestyles to our consumers. As the leading Food, Nutrition, Health and Wellness Company, we believe that it is our responsibility to share the knowledge and expertise that we have in this area, as it forms part of our business philosophy, which we call Creating Shared Value,” he added.
Started in 2006, the Nestlé Nourishing Malaysia Showcase has taken place at various locations around the country, such as Klang Valley, Johor, Sabah and Sarawak. Nestlé expects that this year’s showcase will attract over 15,000 visitors throughout the weekend.
For the public’s convenience, there will be free shuttle bus service by Rapid Penang, every 50 minutes from 10am to 8pm, throughout the weekend. The pick-up and drop-off points are the jetty at Weld Quay Bus Terminal, Lane 1 at Komtar Bus Interchange and opposite Plaza Gurney on Jalan Kelawai. For more information about the event, visit here or call Nestlé at 1-800-88-3433.
Issued by WestCoast Communications Sdn. Bhd. on behalf of Nestlé (Malaysia) Berhad.
For more information, please contact:
Rose Dahlan or Tunku Putri Nur Asma
Tel: (+603) 7954 4505
Zamira Yasmin Abdul Rahman
Tel: (+603) 7965 6212


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Speech to Text for Indiana dad finds mold in child's Capri Sun
Below is the closed-captioning text associated with this video. Since this uses automated speech to text spelling and grammar may not be accurate.
COLUMBUS, Ind. -- A father in Columbus, Indiana said he found mold in a Capri Sun pouch last month that he was going to give to his 3-year-old child.
Cameron Hardwick was concerned as something didn't feel right as he was giving his 3-year-old child a Capri Sun juice to drink. So he took it one step further.
Hardwick cut open the pouch and poured the contents into a glass and found some kind of mold.
He called the manufacturer, Kraft, which he said identified the substance as mold caused by a micro-puncture.
The product has faced similar issues in the past. On the Capri Sun website, the company details why mold can end up in a juice pouch. The company said a microscopic hole can create the problem, and that's why they created clear-bottomed pouches so that consumers can check the product before consuming.
The company adds that it invested millions of dollars in packaging and quality to make pouches even stronger and more resistant to air leaks.
Hardwich said he is hoping that by posting his experience on Facebook, the situation will raise awareness.
"I just wanted to make other parents, grandparents aware of the issue so that they can make their own decision whether to purchase the product," Hardwick said. "Once you deal with the safety and health of your children and children that you know, even if you don't have any of your own, that's concerning and you want to share that with other people."
Consumers with questions can call 1-800-227-7478.


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December 17 marked the beginning of a new chapter in the ever-unchanging soap opera that is US-Cuba relations. President Obama called on congress to bring an end to a half-century-long embargo on the island: “What I know deep in my bones is that if you’ve done the same thing for 50 years and nothing has changed, you should try something different”, he told reporters. And by bringing down what many see as the last pillar of the Cold War, the US is finally acknowledging that to isolate Cuba is to handicap both nations.
No doubt it will take months, if not years, for the dust to settle as the Obama administration looks to eventually normalise ties with Cuba. However, the intent alone will bring immediate benefits to certain sectors of the economy – not least tourism, as travel operators have already received an overwhelming response from US citizens looking to sample Cuba’s sun, sea and cigars.
The walls may be unpapered, the Wi-Fi might be patchy and the cars might be 50 years old, but the experience is all the more memorable for it
“The devil is in the details, and we’ll have to see what the new regulations actually say to better gauge the impact”, says Collin Laverty, Head of Cuba Educational Travel. “One thing is certain: interest and demand has increased exponentially. Web traffic involving Cuba travel has tripled and our sales nearly doubled in the two weeks following the announcement.”
Cuba’s tourism industry has already seen a fair few adjustments over the course of Obama’s presidency: in 2011, for example, the government relaxed travel restrictions on those visiting Cuba, only to quickly offset any gains by imposing tight limitations on tour operators. Up until the start of 2015, US citizens had to obtain a license to make the trip, on the grounds that it was for educational or cultural enrichment only. But perhaps most significant of all was when, also at the beginning of the year, the Commerce and Treasury departments unveiled new rules that allowed US citizens to visit the island without any government-given special permits. This hot and cold relationship has succeeded only in keeping a lid on inbound travel, and yet any progress made by the two nations since the island’s break from the Soviet Union has been marginal.
Still, travel to the island has been increasing in recent years, and it appears that Cuba’s rollercoaster relationship with the US has done little to deter tourists from visiting. The breakdown of the embargo, therefore, will only speed the process along, and with far fewer obstacles standing in the way, the island’s tourism industry is certainly about to enter a new era. Two decades on from when its borders were first opened to international tourists, Cuba’s sunny beaches and architectural marvels will finally feature in American travel agents’ front windows and on holiday brochure covers.
In the late 80s and early 90s, the collapse of the Soviet Union plunged the island into an economic crisis; slicing 35 percent off its GDP and almost halving its import and export numbers. It was here that international tourism emerged as a saving grace for an otherwise destitute land, and brought Europeans, Latin Americans and – most of all – Canadians to the country in their droves. However, assuming Obama’s proposals go ahead as planned, US citizens will soon occupy a more sizeable chunk of the market.
Already the number of American tourists in Cuba is on a steep upwards curve, with government figures showing that 98,000 US citizens visited Cuba in 2012 – up from 73,500 in 2011 and twice the figure published five years before. But even as US citizens begin to flirt with the idea of a long weekend in Cuba, the fact remains that the country’s tourism sector is insufficient to meet lofty US standards. Customer service is poor, the cuisine is bland and public transport is less than dependable – yet the country’s pitfalls can also work to its advantage, as many visitors merely see them as part of its charm. The walls may be unpapered, the Wi-Fi might be patchy and the cars might be 50 years old, but the experience is all the more memorable for it.
“Despite reaching its goal of three million annual visitors, the country continues to attract one-time visitors – mainly sun and sand seekers and adventure travellers – and few high-end tourists and return visitors”, says Laverty. “It has failed to modernise its infrastructure, mainly in terms of airports, domestic flights and hotels. Many of the country’s hotels are in dire need of a face lift and there simply aren’t enough beds… The two most important changes of late are the government’s willingness to expand the private sector and to actually work with small entrepreneurs. Many of the country’s finest restaurants and most charming B&Bs are privately run. The other recent phenomenon is the number of arrivals from the US. About 500,000 Cuban-Americans on family visits and 100,000 Americans on educational tours now make the US the number two supplier of visitors after Canada.”
As a rush of US citizens bring their sandals and sun hats to Cuba, related products and services – not to mention accommodation – will surely step up a gear or two as the industry looks to rake in US dollars and free-spending tourists. Gone are the days when Canadian, European and South American tourists could enjoy a Cuban break on the cheap: with American tourists comes higher prices, and irrespective of the difficult relationship shared between the two countries, Cuba will be no different.
Doing away with the 50-year-old policy would mark a major milestone for US-Cuba relations – however, it would also bring an end to the island’s status as a go-to budget break for those in Europe, Canada and South America. In building hotels to prepare for an American invasion or ports to cater for Caribbean cruise liners, Cuba’s budget status will fast become a thing of the past.
In addition to Cuba’s price dilemma, the development could bring about major changes for the entire Caribbean tourism market: experts at the IMF have previously stated that lifting the embargo for US tourists would profoundly affect the whole industry, and as a result, Cuba could pull valuable custom away from a number of neighbouring holiday destinations.
“Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Bahamas and other countries in the Caribbean have long feared the impact that Cuba’s opening to the US market will have on their local economies”, says Laverty. “Cuba sure has a lot to offer and, after five and a half decades of being prohibited, it’s sure to become a top destination for American travellers in the near future. Most studies estimate two to three million American tourists per year once the embargo is fully lifted. Other countries in the Caribbean will have to look for options to offset their losses, such as joint packages with Cuba.”
No matter the effect on the surrounding tourism market, what’s more important is the impetus that a changed relationship with the US will bring in improving Cuba’s (frankly inadequate) facilities and services. “The government will have to move fast – opening up to foreign investment and giving the private sector more space – if it hopes to take advantage of the growing demand”, says Laverty. And it is here, above all else, that the changes to the tourism sector will be most evident.


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In early February, the Eat Local First initiative created a new tool called the Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA Finder. The resource helps support local farms and gives Washington residents the keys to locating subscription options to farm shares of fresh produce, meat, dairy, eggs, and many other products available in the region.
“Our newest tool is integrated within the Washington food and farm finder. The database is a separate tab on the website,” says Micha Ide, manager at Pierce County Fresh and member of the Eat Local First Collaborative. “It allows consumers to see the list of CSA farms that are in their area, or based on what their preference is, rather than trying to navigate each individual farm website.”
The collaborative is made up of organizations from around the state. It includes The Local Food Trust, Pierce County Fresh, Sustainable Connections, Tilth Alliance, Washington State University Food Systems, and Washington State University Regional Small Farms Program.
By inputting criteria based on what the consumer is looking for, whether it’s fresh produce available in the winter, specific fruits and vegetables, or home delivery, the customer can easily narrow down their search with the CSA Finder.
Farm shares allow buyers to carefully choose seasonal offerings directly from local farms by prepaying ahead of each season, creating a reciprocal consumer-farmer connection.
“The idea is that the farmer has guaranteed funds that they can use to buy the seeds and things they need to really get started for the season,” says Ide. “For the consumer, you’re getting access to the healthiest, freshest, most delicious products available from the farmer — not only eating better but creating a relationship with the person who’s growing your food.”
Though indeed not a new concept, CSA’s saw dramatic growth in popularity during the pandemic.
With more and more consumers making a concentrated effort to support local, choose safe and healthy alternatives, and avoid the threat of empty shelves at grocery stores, the increase comes as no surprise.
Typically, most CSA’s start around June and go through October or November. However, many are growing multiple crops and may have fall or winter shares available, depending on the farm. Several farms opened their subscription sign-ups earlier than usual due to the increased demand and have even expanded to offer more volume.
Pink Moon Farm, in Eatonville, is one of several local farms offering CSA shares.
“We’ve seen already this year more people who are new to CSA, and that type of farm experience,” says Grayson Crane, owner and farmer at Pink Moon Farm. “Given how much we increased last year, we’re hoping to continue the number of boxes and expand on that, creating these authentic farmer-consumer relationships.”
Resources like the CSA Finder are beneficial to farmers, who often take on various roles within their small businesses. “It is really helpful to have a kind of one-stop-shop where people can get information about our farm, our growing practices, and the types of shares we offer,” says Crane. “It gives them the chance to find a CSA model or farm that works best for them.”
With early summer, summer, late summer, and fall seasonal share options, Pink Moon Farm offers pick-up points at several locations, including Seattle, Tacoma, and at the farm in Eatonville. They are open to share subscription sign-ups now.
Wild Hare Organic Farm in Tacoma is another farm that offers CSA subscriptions.
“Any tool that makes it easier for our immediate community and locale to find our farm is a great asset,” says Katie Green, owner and farmer at Wild Hare Organic Farm. “In the past, we relied a lot on farmers markets, and when the shopping experience changed last year due to the pandemic, having our CSA really saved us and saved our business.”
Green’s farm operates year-round and offers a subscription to shares by the season, spring through winter, or buyers can sign-up for the whole year. Shares are picked up right at the farm, with easy access to and from I-5.
As Wild Hare continues to pivot, they’ve introduced the first-ever sign-up event and established a ‘wait-list’ to accommodate both long-time and new customers. Last year was the first time in six years they sold out after having such a high volume of new CSA members.
“There are all different kinds of ways that farmers could choose to be a farmer,” says Green. “Farmers that have CSAs choose to farm this way because they really care about the personal element of feeding people and the direct customer relationships. That’s a unique thing that makes CSAs pretty special.”
Eat Local First has several initiatives beginning in March. Customers planning to sign up for a CSA can participate in a survey entering them into a drawing for $100 off of their CSA subscription. The drawing will take place in early summer.
A commercial campaign called ‘Meet Your CSA Farmer’ video series launched featuring segments from farms around the state on Eat Local First social media outlets, allowing consumers a chance to get to know local growers and producers.
With CSA subscription season quickly approaching, now is the perfect time to explore and make farm share selections. By supporting healthier local supply chains, consumers not only invest in farms but invest in local communities. The new CSA Finder makes it easier than ever.


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Arla Foods UK will pay 25p a litre for milk supplied by members of its dedicated supply group, Arla Foods Milk Partnership (AFMP), from October 1st following a round of positive discussions with its major retail customers.
The increase was announced to AFMP members in a joint letter signed by Jonathan Ovens, AFMP Chairman, and Peter Walker, Arla Foods Group Director of Milk Procurement.
Following the announcement, Peter Walker said: "We have made good progress in our milk pricing negotiations and have agreed that the AFMP standard litre price will increase to 25ppl from 1 October 2007.
"This increase reflects the undertaking, given by the company to the Partnership, that Arla would seek to improve prices via one major increment rather than a series of small adjustments to milk prices over a period.
"We recognise that the situation remains highly volatile and will continue to monitor developments in the marketplace to ensure that Arla Foods' milk price as always reflects current market conditions and continues to be in the top quartile of milk prices being paid to UK dairy farmers."
Commenting on the increase, Jonathan Ovens said: "The partnership between AFMP and Arla and the close relationship that Arla enjoys with its key customers has put us in the position to deliver this much needed substantial improvement to our members' price.
"I am aware that Arla is continuing its hard work to deliver this substantial improvement to benefit all Partnership members in these current difficult times for all dairy farmers."
Discussions have centred around increases in on-farm production costs as a result of the difficult weather this summer and its subsequent pressure on feed costs for the rest of the milk year. Arla is also recognising the continued strength in the commodity markets in delivering this price increase.
This latest price rise comes on the back of three previous industry leading milk price increases announced during the spring and summer of this year and the suspension of balancing charges on excess litres from July 1st. This arrangement will continue until the end of 2007.
Arla Foods UK plc is home to some of the UK’s leading dairy brands including Cravendale, Lurpak and Anchor. Processing approximately two billion litres of milk a year Arla continues to be one of the UK’s leading dairy companies and a supplier of fresh liquid milk and cream to the top seven retailers.
Over 2,500 daily deliveries are made directly to stores nationwide and Arla brands can be found across the dairy category. As well as the leader of the butter, spreads and margarine sector, and a major supplier of other added value products including flavoured milk and cheese, Arla continues to build working relationships with Arla Foods Milk Partnership, a unique group of dairy farmers, which supplies around 90 per cent of Arla's total milk requirements.
Behind this leading business is a team of circa 2,800 people across the UK located at our dairies, distribution centres and head office.


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City Sports is thinking bigger.
Specifically, it’s thinking about those female customers who have shopped for footwear and accessories but have skipped the clothing. That behavior may change now that the stores at Gallery Place (715 Seventh St. NW) and 19th Street (1111 19th St. NW) have added racks dedicated to sizes 1X through 3X.
“We felt it was a void in the marketplace,” says Lauren Blanda, the chain’s category manager for apparel. “But we didn’t want to do it halfheartedly.”
Just two of the vendors that City Sports carries had rolled out plus sizes — Moving Comfort and Nike — so the company decided to expand its CS label to round out the offerings. That process took a year and started with focus groups to determine what plus-size shoppers are looking for, Blanda says.
“They really want color. That was the biggest disappointment [they expressed], other than not being able to find things that fit comfortably,” says Blanda, noting that the women said they often had to buy men’s clothes.
To make sure the styles would work on real bodies, the designers recruited a woman they spotted exercising at a Boston-area gym to be a fit model. Her request? Tank tops that provided breathability and a wide range of motion.
City Sports set out to replicate several existing CS styles, which proved more difficult than it sounds, Blanda says. But with some extra paneling and different seaming, many of the looks are flattering in the larger sizes.
Blanda’s favorite is the CS Paramount Capri ($55). Like the original style ($48), it has a back zippered pocket and reflective details. She hopes shoppers appreciate the breadth of styles available — hoodies, sports bras, a skort.
The company is still figuring out which products will appeal to customers, which is why the line is initially available at only six stores and online. (D.C. got two of the test stores based on analysis that it would be a hot market, Blanda says.)
If sales are strong, that may persuade other brands to start thinking bigger, too.
Want Some More?
City Sports plans to extend sizes throughout the store this year by also adding widths in footwear, a broader range of sports bras, and short and tall styles in women’s pants.


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The diamond that was found in Kono district last month has raised the expectations of many Sierra Leoneans but SALONE TIMES is reliable informed that the jumbo diamond may be sold less than expected.
According to expert, the diamond does not have the value that it supposed to have because the gem is not as clean as it should be.
This information was confirmed by the Director General of the National Minerals Agency, Sahr Wonday when he was talking to press men last week on the diamond at the Ministry of Mines Conference Room.
Sahr Wonday dissuaded rumors that the government has put a price tag on the diamond but said that there are lots of factors that go into the price of diamond.
“It not just the carat of the diamond that determines the price, the colour and the clarity are also determining factors in coming up with price for a diamond,” he stated.
He mentioned that although they have made efforts to clean the diamond to reduce the reddish coating, it is still a major factor that they were not able to change.
Meanwhile only six people have bided for the diamond by buying a bid form at $5,000 which is not refundable but according to the Presidential Spokesman, Abdulai Bayraytay, they have extended the bidding process to 10 of May 2017 because they are receiving expression of interest from international bidders.


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Oba Abdulkabir Adeyemi, Olota of Ota, Ogun, has appealed to National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to reverse its ban on alcoholic beverages in sachet and PET bottles below 200ml.
Adeyemi made the appeal while addressing factory workers protesting the ban of the products on Tuesday at his palace in Ota.
He said the government should reconsider the ban based on the several benefits of the products to the manufacturers and contribution to the economy.
BRANDPOWER reports that workers under the Distillery Unions continued their protests around Ota where majority of their factories are located in Ogun on Tuesday.
The protesters marched through major roads in Ota, drawing the attention of passersby and those that patronised the products.
Adeyemi said there was need for NAFDAC to revisit its ban on alcoholic beverages below 200ml and PET bottles as the benefits outweighed the disadvantages.
He said the products could be exported to other countries to generate revenue and employment for the teeming youth.
“I think NAFDAC should have a rethink as these sachets and PET bottles could be exported to West African countries and European countries, which in return would earn revenue for the country.
“The regulator can make other laws to protect the health of Nigerians but not to impose a total ban on the products as this would increase the crime rate in Ogun and the country at large,” he said.
Adeyemi assured the people that he would inform the government about their grievances and plead for a review of the ban.
BRANDPOWER reports that the Enforcement Department of NAFDAC, Lagos, had on Feb. 2 carried out a two-day enforcement exercise in Ota, after the five-year directive to stop the production of alcoholic beverages in sachet and PET bottles below 200ml expired on Jan. 31.


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On Thursday, President Trump escalated ongoing trade tensions with China by instructing U.S. trade officials to consider tariffs on an additional 100 billion dollars in imports from China, in addition to the tariffs issued earlier this week— totaling 150 billion dollars in Chinese imports across 1,300 categories of products. This action prompted a swift response from the Chinese government, with import levies on American soybeans, cars, chemicals and airplanes. (The Washington Post, April 4)
President Trump escalated ongoing trade tensions with China by instructing U.S. trade officials to consider tariffs on an additional 100 billion dollars in imports from China, in addition to the tariffs issued earlier this week— totaling $150 billion in Chinese imports.
This decision by President Trump comes a month after he authorized levies of 25 percent on imported steel and 10 percent on aluminum, while exempting Canada, Mexico and potentially other countries, based on a country-by-country review of bilateral security agreements. President Trump justified the tariffs by citing alleged violations of U.S. intellectual property laws and unbalanced trade practice. (Roundtable Weekly, March 9)
Roundtable President and CEO Jeffrey DeBoer noted the commercial real estate industry’s concerns, stating, “These proposed tariffs, coupled with the earlier tariffs on steel and ongoing dispute with China could have unfortunate and unintended effects on the U.S. economy by raising construction costs, and reducing jobs in real estate development. China has continually taken advantage of trade practice laws, particularly intellectual property—vital for the U.S. to continue developing new technology, whether it be machinery, software, or energy efficient building solutions and should be held accountable but in a measured way.” (The Washington Post, April 5)
Since the announcement last month, along with the addition of more tariffs this week, U.S. and global market volatility show no signs of letting up, leaving two of the world’s largest economies on the brink of a possible trade war that could negatively impact U.S. agriculture and industry.
Newly appointed National Economic Council Director and Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, Larry Kudlow, said that he expected the U.S. and China to resolve their issues, noting that the announcements by both countries where just “proposals.” (Financial Times, April 5)
Kudlow, who comes to the Trump administration as a former Wall Street economist, CNBC commentator and advocate of free trade, still believes that the U.S. can strike a deal with China—anticipating continued trade will eventually lead to faster growth and higher wages in the U.S. (Politico, April 4; BNA, April 6)
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross echoed Kudlow’s reassurance, noting that the U.S. tariffs won’t take effect before the end of May, after a period for public comment, and that the administration may seek to resolve the trade dispute at the bargaining table. The next opportunity for both parties to discuss the ongoing dispute will be later this month at the meeting of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank and in Washington, D.C. (The Washington Post, April 4; Reuters, April 4)


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While the sound of gym equipment clanking at Club Physical might lull you into a false sense of 'normality', the reality is, like so many local businesses right now, the Kaitaia gym is doing it tough.
Northland's drop in alert levels from 4 to 2 in recent weeks has meant businesses have been able to restart operations, but the impact of the recent lockdowns continues to wreak havoc across a number of industries.
Health and fitness, hospitality, tourism, events and certain products and services are feeling the pinch of social distancing and supply restrictions.
Stan Day is the co-owner of Club Physical, as well as Collard's Tavern and owns a suite of commercial properties in town.
He and best mate John Stewart, another local business owner, were born and raised in Kaitaia, have raised their own families here and built their businesses in the community.
They've invested blood, sweat and tears over many years and even survived a print apprenticeship together at the Northland Age.
The pair are therefore intimately familiar with what makes Kaitaia tick and agreed it was the toughest economic environment they had seen in their lifetime.
Stewart co-owns Printing.com on Commerce St, is a Te Hiku Community Board member and co-owner of the famous 90 Mile Beach Snapper Bonanza surf casting competition.
He said his printing business alone had suffered incredibly as a result of the second round of lockdowns, mainly due to the majority of his business being based in Auckland.
"Some industries like construction haven't seen big changes during this lockdown because they've had work lined up and are ready to go," Stewart said.
"Unfortunately for us, being in level 2 in Northland doesn't mean much when Auckland is in level 4, as that's where most of our income comes from.
"Coming into spring is also when we usually increase in sales, but when small to medium businesses come out of lockdown, they don't want to spend money on printing or advertising, so that's usually one of the first things to go."
Stewart said this lockdown had been far worse than last year's experience and estimated an expected loss of around 80 per cent in revenue - doubling that of last year's 40 per cent loss.
"In my opinion it's a lot harder this time around because people have learned from the first lockdown, so have closed their wallets and are being more conservative.
"While the Wage Subsidy Scheme covers 60 per cent of wages, I still have to pay for my machine lease, ACC, insurance, rates, franchise fees and rent - those costs don't go away."
Day explained he was experiencing a similar situation with his businesses.
The father of two said he was also feeling the strain of having to negotiate with the bank regarding his commercial properties and with tenants struggling to pay rent.
"It's pretty hard this time around and especially for Collard's where we were just about to come into our busy season," Day said.
"We've had to cancel many events and all of our casual staff have pretty much lost work as events were their main source of income.
"Thankfully I have enough going on that I think I'll be able to get through, but I know a lot of businesses who won't survive, even with the government subsidies available."
As part of his role on the Te Hiku Community Board, Stewart said he also had concerns about the future of work and what it would mean for local industries.
He said the trend for businesses to work from home as a result of Covid-19 restrictions, particularly local government, meant there was less traffic in towns to support the local economy.
"If people don't move, businesses don't make money and I'm worried about the increase of people working from home and what that will mean," Stewart said.
"There's a trend for Far North District Council staff towards working from home and the council is suggesting that's because it's cheaper for the ratepayer - but is it really?
"If you think about it, when people are in the office, they spend money for lunch, on petrol, replacing tyres, buying coffee and they need to rent office buildings.
"The impact on productivity also goes down in a lot of industries when working from home and the lack of human connection and not being able to sit in the same room together, well without it, we're in trouble."
The Ministry of Social Development Northland recently announced a helpline launched in lockdown would continue to answer queries about financial support to Northland businesses as Covid-19 alert levels dropped in the region.
Te Taitokerau Business Support Helpline is an MSD Northland initiative which answers queries about MSD Covid-19 financial supports, including the Wage Subsidy August 2021 and Wage Subsidy August No 2 2021.
MSD economic development manager Darrell Lambert said the helpline was a direct response to businesses' need.
"We realised quickly that our local businesses needed a direct channel to understand and navigate the supports available to them during these heightened alert levels," Lambert said.
"With Northland's recent move out of alert level 3, and with Auckland remaining at alert level 4, businesses may still be doing it tough. The continued availability of the wage subsidy reflects that.
"If you are eligible for the wage subsidy, we encourage you to utilise the support available and call if you need more detail or help with the process."
Lambert said the MSD team was also reaching out to Northland businesses - particularly sole traders - and had made more than 385 calls in the last week alone.
"If you've been affected by Covid-19, we are here and are ready to help."
The MSD Business Support Helpline (09 983 9103) is available to both employers and sole traders and is open Monday to Friday 8am-4.30pm.
To streamline a wage subsidy application, sole traders looking to access business support are encouraged to do the following:
1. Ensure that your IR number on your application matches those that are held with Inland Revenue
2. Give us your name as the name of your business (it needs to match the IRD number)
3. Give us the correct bank account number
4. Choose fulltime if you work 20 hours or more a week, or part-time if you work less than 20 hours a week. Don't worry about your New Zealand Business number if you don't have one or don't know it
5. Confirm with Inland Revenue that you are listed as a sole trader/self employed
6. Call Te Taitokerau Business Support Helpline where we can review and progress applications
"While there are applications in the pipeline, we are committed to supporting our business community, and ask for your patience as we get them processed for payment," says Lambert.
To access the Business Support Helpline, call 09 983 9103 to speak with regional labour market adviser Ann Dysart, or 09 983 0553 to speak with work broker Chrissy Murray.
Sole traders are also able to apply for a New Zealand Business Number (NZBN), which is a unique identifier which can speed up interactions with government, suppliers and customers, and other businesses.
MSD business supports. MSD continues to offer the following suite of services to the Northland business community:
Wage Subsidy August 2021 No 2. Applications opened on Friday, September 3 for businesses and self-employed people who have or predict at least a 40 per cent decline in their revenue from August 31 to September 13 and meet all the eligibility criteria. Businesses that applied for the initial Wage Subsidy August 2021 payment and who meet all the eligibility criteria for Wage Subsidy August 2021 No 2, can apply for another wage subsidy payment two weeks after their previous application.
Short-term Absence Payment. Available to help businesses pay employees who can't work from home while they wait for a Covid-19 test result (also available to the self-employed) (https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/covid-19/short-term-absence-payment/index.html)
Covid-19 Leave Support Scheme. For employers and self-employed people to help pay employees who need to self-isolate and can't work from home; (https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/covid-19/leave-support-scheme/index.html)
Other business support: Resurgence Support Payment. Available through Inland Revenue in the event of a Covid-19 alert level increase to Covid level 2 or higher. Businesses must be able to show a 30 per cent drop in revenue or 30 per cent decline in capital-raising ability over a seven-day period at the raised alert level, compared with a typical seven-day revenue period in the six weeks prior to the increase from alert level 1. Apply for the payment via Inland Revenue (https://www.ird.govt.nz/rsp).


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Skyword has announced closing $6.7 million in growth financing for its content marketing solutions. This Boston-based startup provides agencies, brands, media, and retail customers with a platform to publish content and tools to distribute it effectively.
You can't access Facebook in China. Twitter is unheard of. And Google … well, Google has left China, and China isn't exactly writing a Taylor Swift ex-boyfriend song about the world's largest search engine.
Guest Post Sustainable SEO is all about quality. It’s about truth, genuineness, and “being natural” as opposed to “acting natural,” not increasing rankings but rather improving user experience and building quality relationships.
Want to know how Graph Search works and how results are sorted? They're different for every person! Here's a peek under the hood.
Guest Post Search engine optimization isn’t just a buzzword anymore. Businesses are increasingly turning to SEO strategies to ensure they rank well in search engines.
Guest Post If you’ve ever thought about paying for inauthentic endorsements like this, you better pump the breaks because third party review sites are now making it as obvious as Snooki’s spray tan that you’ve invested in fake reviews.
Guest Post The purpose of this article is to expose the lies that business owners are told by low-quality SEO firms.
Guest Post SEO director, growth product manager, and UI designer are three essential job functions that will be hard to fill in 2013. Here's why they matter -- and who the top people are in each field.
Google Webmaster Tools, the Google site that helps website owners manage how their site appears in Google, diagnose problems, and optimize traffic, is currently experiencing a major security breach.
When it comes to digital marketing, you have two main avenues for promoting your business website: SEO and PPC. Although both are viable options for improving your Web presence and increasing the amount of traffic flowing into your site, the …
Digital marketing company Kenshoo raises $12 million in its fourth round of funding.
I kind of feel like Fat Bastard in Austin Powers: the Spy Who Shagged Me as he's laying back on a couch, shirtless, displaying his abdominal pulchritude, saying "I'm dead sexy!"
BloomReach, the "big data" tool for marketers that is used by the likes of Neiman Marcus and Williams- Sonoma, has raised $25 million in a round led by New Enterprise Associates (NEA).
The available domain names include 1.org, 2.org, and so on. Some are also fun options for science-fiction groups, like B.org, or creepy types who don't spell well, such as M.org.
Content optimization platform RAMP gobbles up $15 million
Most people think web marketing is Google Ads, promoted tweets, and sponsored stories. That's after all, where tens of billions of dollars are being spent. But to Rand Fishkin, that's the stupid money.
"Being an ad-buyer does not make you a marketer," Fishkin said today in his talk at GROW 2012. "There are two huge problems with this."
Editor's Pick Craigslist really, really, really does not want any of its listings showing anywhere else on the web.
Search engine optimization, or SEO, is big business. Big enough to get a mention on close to 900 million websites, and to be the focus of 164,000 YouTube videos.
Spain-based internet marketing company BlueCaribu recently did a review of SEO …
What’s happening to Google? The search engine that famously barely tolerated paid links has transformed into a high-powered advertising engine that, in some cases, leaves just 15 percent of page space for regular, non-paid, organic listings.
Online marketing company Wordstream …
Google just posted a new resource on its developer blog intended to help startups with the basics of search engine optimization (SEO).
Google dominates the search-engine space in the U.S. with 70 percent market share, so optimizing your site to …


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NEW YORK, February 9, 2022 – In the last three years, the percentage of consumers that feel companies need to improve their overall customer experience (CX) has jumped from 35% to 65%, according to global Fintech leader Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR). Its fourth annual CX and Communications Insights consumer survey examines how B2C communications impact CX. With 77% of surveyed consumers willing to spend more with a company that provides a good customer experience, companies must act now or risk the financial impact of falling further behind their peers.
“Communications play a key role in CX and while technology has certainly made strides in customizing consumer touchpoints, many companies are not responding fast enough to customer desire for simple, clear and relevant communications,” said Matt Swain, managing director for communications and customer experience consulting services at Broadridge. “As consumers increasingly turn to digital, expectations continue to increase – especially when it comes to navigating omni-channel, preference management, personalization and data security.”
Personalization and Data Security Concerns Remain at Odds
Consumers are becoming more accustomed to digital engagement with companies, and as they do, they expect personalization and customization in their communications. At the same time, companies are challenged to earn mass trust in managing the proprietary data necessary to enable a deeper level of customization.
Nearly three-quarters (74%) want companies to customize their experience based on what the company knows about them, and 63% are more likely to engage and respond to interactive, personalized messaging. More work needs to be done, however, with 60% of consumers stating that the companies they do business with specifically need to improve their digital experience.
Companies must consider both a more personalized digital experience and offer increased data security, with 54% of consumers noting that advances in digital identity security measures help them feel more comfortable engaging digitally with companies. This comes as about half of millennials (55%) and Gen Z (49%) would be willing to share their data for a better CX, compared to 23% of Baby Boomers.
2022: A Pivotal Year to Capture the Post-Pandemic Customer
As the next normal takes root two years into the pandemic, companies need to ensure they are providing engaging digital interactions. With increased rates of digital adoption, consumers are interested in the different ways companies can communicate digitally. Technologies that consumers would most like to see used in communications to improve the customer experience include:
Despite the pandemic-induced quicker shift to digital, 44% of consumers still prefer to receive bills, statements and other important documents in paper form and 90% believe they will still prefer to receive at least some of those communications in paper form three years from now. That said, this preference can be influenced by providing a better digital experience. The research showed that 71% of consumers that have not yet gone paperless would do so if companies made their digital experience more engaging.
“To deliver on growing customer expectations for omni-channel communication experiences, companies need a flexible, digital-first ecosystem,” said Doug DeSchutter, president of Broadridge Customer Communications. “By connecting to the multitude of digital channels that consumers use daily and leveraging a high-scale, high-performance print-and-mail network, our clients are unlocking new sources of economic value and advancing their digital transformation.”
For more information, view Broadridge’s report, 2022 CX and Communications Insights: Engaging Customers in a Digital World.
Broadridge commissioned Engine to conduct this CARAVAN Omnibus Survey. The 52-question survey was administered between November 5-12, 2021, to 3,025 U.S. and Canadian residents aged 18 and older. The U.S. data was weighted to age, gender, region, race and education. The Canadian data was weighted to age, gender and region. The figures are statistically significant at the 95 percent confidence level with a margin of error of ±2 percentage points.
Broadridge Financial Solutions (NYSE: BR), a global Fintech leader with over $6 billion in revenues, provides the critical infrastructure that powers investing, corporate governance, and communications to enable better financial lives. We deliver technology-driven solutions that drive business transformation for banks, broker-dealers, asset and wealth managers and public companies. Broadridge's infrastructure serves as a global communications hub enabling corporate governance by linking thousands of public companies and mutual funds to tens of millions of individual and institutional investors around the world. Our technology and operations platforms underpin the daily trading of more than $10 trillion of equities, fixed income and other securities globally. A certified Great Place to Work®, Broadridge is part of the S&P 500® Index, employing over 14,000 associates in 21 countries.
For more information about us, please visit www.broadridge.com.
報道関係者 お問い合わせ先 ：03-5425-7220, アシュトン・コンサルティング firstname.lastname@example.org。


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The clear plastic device illustrated above represents a new way of manufacturing a dental splint. Splints are worn to protect teeth against grinding during sleep or to produce an orthodontic effect. The novelty of this splint is that it was 3D printed in a biocompatible material certified for up to 12 months in the mouth. Such materials have become commercially available recently and are transforming the way dental devices are being made.
Read the full article here: http://www.tctmagazine.com/3D-printing-news/3d-printing-digital-dentistry-asiga/
TCT Front Cover, June/July 2016
For more on TCT click here.


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Friday 9th November 2012
|Text too small?|
New Zealand retail spending on electronic cards rose as expected last month, led by fuel, motor vehicle related spending and durables.
Spending on debit, credit and charge cards rose 0.4 percent, seasonally adjusted, in October, following a 0.6 percent decline in the previous month, according to Statistics New Zealand. Core retail, which excludes motor vehicle related spending, gained 0.2 percent.
Consumer related stocks on the NZX 50 Index have been among the biggest gainers this year, with a 35 percent gain based on the NZSE Consumer Index, outpacing the broader market. Briscoe Group has climbed 49 percent this year, while jeweller Michael Hill International is up 39 percent.
The 0.4 percent gain in the latest month matched the forecast in a Reuters survey. Actual sales were up 3.2 percent from a year earlier.
Spending on fuel rose 1.6 percent and spending on durables, which include furniture, hardware and appliances, rose 0.7 percent in October. Consumables, such as food and liquor, fell 0.6 percent following a decline of 0.7 percent in the previous month.
The electronic cards data covers about two thirds of retail spending in New Zealand.
Total electronic card transactions, including those not related to retailing, also rose 0.4 percent.
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2 research groups are now scaling up for the commercial launch of this cattle feed additive, one that has been shown to almost completely stop methane production.
With concern over climate change reaching unprecedented levels, a feed additive that causes a huge reduction in methane production by cows is both exciting and extremely welcome.
Methane, of course, is one of the worst of the so-called greenhouse gases, and how red seaweed (Asparagopsis sp.) stops methane production by cattle is not complicated. Within the digestive tract, it simply prevents hydrogen from binding to carbon atoms, so that extremely little methane is burped out by cows into the air.
Seaweed: A potential feed for ruminants
According to a study of Norwegian harvested seaweed, in which researches of Aarhus University have participated, using seaweed can be a potential feed for ruminants. Find out more…
The palatability of red seaweed is good (in any case, it only needs to be fed at a very low level such as 0.5%), and there are no apparent effects on milk and meat quality from including it in the beef or dairy cattle ration. But in addition, it interests producers because red seaweed has also been shown in at least one study to result in the same daily gain by beef cattle fed less than would otherwise be needed for that degree of weight gain.
First let’s start with the methane research. Dr Ermias Kebreab recently led a 147-day study at the University of California (Davis) showing that methane reduction from beef cattle fed red seaweed was sustained over the entire trial. Kebreab is Director of the World Food Center at the University and the scientific advisor for US-based Blue Ocean Barns, a company now working to commercialise a red seaweed additive. In another set of short-term studies with lactating dairy cows led by Dr Alexander Hristov (Distinguished Professor of Dairy Nutrition at Penn State University), including red seaweed in the ration reduced methane emissions by 80% with no effect on feed intake or milk yield.
Not all seaweed is suitable as a methane inhibitor
Seaweed can be an effective means of limiting methane emissions in cows, but some methane-inhibiting substances are also poisonous. Read more…
Hristov does not believe that, at this point, there has been “nearly enough” study of whether feeding red seaweed to cattle is effective over the long term in terms of reducing methane emissions. He explains that rumen microbes have been shown to adapt to many types of feed and feed additives, and that many additives have stopped producing an effect at some point after being introduced. He suggests that “a long-term study in dairy cows is a full lactation or at least 105 days. In beef cattle, a long-term study is the full feedlot cycle.” For his part, Kebreab thinks his 147-day study is “sufficient” in terms of establishing long-term effectiveness in beef cattle.
Hristov also believes more study of stability of the active ingredient, bromoforms, is needed. On this topic, Kebreab reports that in his studies, “we used seaweed stored for 3 years in a freezer and it works just fine, so I would think it is stable.” When asked about whether other supplements and seaweeds have been shown to produce similar effects, Kebreab says “the only seaweed species that works is Asparagopsis.” He points to a new paper that compares feed additives done by Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) which confirms this. He also adds, however, that “I would imagine any seaweed that stored bromoform would work.”
Obtaining commercial quantities of the seaweed remains the largest hurdle.
One group working to commercialise a red seaweed livestock feed additive as soon as possible is FutureFeed, a partnership between CSIRO, Meat and Livestock Australia and James Cook University with funding from various companies. It was created solely to support growth in the use of red seaweed to significantly reduce methane emissions by livestock.
Eve Faulkner, FutureFeed marketing and communications manager, says her organisation expects commercialisation within the next 12 months. “Obtaining commercial quantities of the seaweed remains the largest hurdle,” she explains, and adds that the additive can easily be incorporated in the concentrate of grain fed daily to cows at dairy farms and beef feedlots.
Blue Ocean Barns, as mentioned, is a US-based company also working to commercialise a red seaweed feed additive. “We are growing seaweed in both Hawaii and San Diego, and have already begun the process of moving to larger tanks in both locations, explains CEO and co-founder Joan Salwen. “For now, those will be the 2 primary locations for our seaweed production, and we are currently negotiating expanding to on-land farms. We anticipate selling to companies by year-end.” She adds that in January 2021, the first commercial trial of red seaweed in the US was approved. It will be conducted at a dairy farm owned by Albert Straus in Marshall, California, and the additive will be fed to a subset of his herd this summer and fall.
In their study, Kebreab and his colleagues also found that feeding red seaweed reduced farmers’ feed requirements by 14% with no change in steer weight gain. This basically correlates with a claim from FutureFeed that “approximately 12% of feed is lost as methane emissions.” Neither Kebreab nor Hristov has done any analysis of the cost of including red seaweed in the cattle diet versus the cost savings of potentially feeding less feed. FutureFeed cannot comment on cost savings that might result from feeding red seaweed and Salwen is not aware of any cost-based studies.
However, Salwen says that in terms of her future product, “we’re still working out the exact pricing model and who would pay for it. Our business model is designed to ensure that farmers and ranchers − who are the most squeezed part of the livestock and dairy food chains and are in the best position to be climate heroes − do not have to bear the full cost.”


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These days, most of us will carefully check ingredients lists for gluten and trans fats, demand that our water bottles be made without BPA, and seek out paraben-free, body-safe cosmetics. But the average person can’t tell you what a toxic sex toy is—or even that they exist. Unfortunately, in the unregulated sex toy industry, plenty of sex toys are potentially rife with products that can hurt you (and not even in the fun, kinky way).
Perhaps the most well-known offender in terms of toy toxicity is a group of chemicals known as phthalates, a plasticizer that can be blended with other substances to make them softer and more flexible. A spotlight’s been shone on phthalates in recent years, as publications like Bustle and Bitch, and feminist-oriented sex shops like Good Vibes and Babeland have spoken out against them.
So why all the hullabaloo? It turns out that phthalates may have side effects when they come into contact with your body that could potentially be terrible for you—and aren’t disclosed by most sex toy manufacturers. According to Amanda Morgan, D.H.S., a faculty member at the School of Community Health Sciences at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, who wrote her master’s thesis on harmful sex toy materials, phthalates are known endocrine disruptors that can cause health problems. “[Phthalates] mess with your hormones; they can cause birth defects, or other things related to liver or kidney functioning,” Morgan told me, referencing studies that have linked phthalates to irregular fetal development, early-onset puberty, and lower sperm counts, among other issues. “They can really mess you up because they pretend to be your hormones, and so your body’s hormonal cycle gets knocked out of whack from exposure to these things.”
When you hear horror stories about sex toys, though, it’s not necessarily phthalates that are to blame. One of the most common anecdotal complaints about toxic toys is that they cause skin irritation: “I first thought [it] was a yeast infection or BV, because of extreme itching and burning on my inner labia,” reports one reader who wrote in to sex toy review blog Dangerous Lilly. “My ass suddenly felt like it was on fire. A burning sensation spread throughout my butt,” recalled sex educator Tristan Taormino about a questionable dildo she used. One Playboy story described a dildo that caused a woman “such severe pain that she could barely speak.”
I asked Emily S. Barrett, Ph.D., a professor at the Rutgers University School of Public Health who has done extensive research on the prenatal effects of endocrine disruptors like phthalates, whether these reported burning sensations fit with her understanding of the chemicals. She told me she hasn’t seen evidence that phthalates irritate the skin in this way, and that they tend to “act on a much more subtle level most of the time.”


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According to the report, Kojima is in the process of founding a new development studio, and is already in talks with Sony about his new studio's first game.
This seems to be the final movement in the long breakup between Kojima and Konami. The cracks began to show in March, when Konami was restructured and the Kojima Productions name and logo were removed from promotional materials for Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain. Konami soon after canceled Kojima's partnership with Guillermo del Toro on Silent Hills, and formally dissolved Kojima Productions. Earlier this month, Konami did not allow Kojima to attend The Game Awards, where The Phantom Pain was nominated and won the award for Best Action/Adventure Game.
Previous reports suggested that Kojima had been let go by Konami, and that he was simply waiting for the non-compete clause of his contract to expire in December to make his next move. While the rumor was flatly denied by Konami, the timing of this latest report, if true, lines up with what was previously reported.


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Vizio introduces new ad format that brings viewers from TV to streaming
Fox will be the first partner of 'jump ads.'
Vizio is looking to help content programmers drive viewers from linear TV to streaming platforms without having to exit an app or go searching for content.
Dubbed "jump ads," the new ad format looks to resolve viewer frustration arising out of having to navigate between different streaming services and apps. Fox is the first content partner to try the ad format, which debuted during the TV premiere of its new docu-comedy "Welcome to Flatch" earlier this month. The network will continue to run the ads during the show’s airings on linear TV.
“Jump ads” allow brands to place interactive overlays during linear TV programs, which will direct viewers to streaming apps that are supported by Vizio’s SmartCast operating system. Fox’s “jump ads,” for example, encourage continued viewing of “Welcome to Flatch” by linking to its content inside the Fox Now app, where the first seven episodes are already available.
Vizio said "jump ads" allow brands to customize when the ads will run during the show, the frequency and the SmartCast apps to which they direct. Vizio is currently working on integrating the software with additional content providers and brands, who will have the ability to drive viewing to different apps or content hubs that are presented by brands.
“Clearly, the viewing experience has changed, with both linear and streaming playing an integral role for the foreseeable future,” said Natalie Park, senior VP, marketing strategy and media at Fox Entertainment, said in a statement. “Innovations like Jump Ads that integrate these formats for viewers create a better live, tune-in experience that caters to the on-demand expectation that the binge-watching cultural phenomenon has created.”
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Like other TV makers, Vizio has been pushing further into the advertising space in recent years. During last year's upfront negotiations, Vizio reported it brought in more than $100 million in advertising commitments, a four-fold increase from the year prior.
Vizio has looked to increase its ad inventory via WatchFree+, a platform of more than 250 FAST (free ad-supported streaming TV) channels that complements its other ad innovations, such as the introduction of so-called “sponsored content hubs” on its SmartCast home screens.


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Households saved more than €31 billion in 2020, new figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show.
Savings made during the pandemic have brought the financial net worth of households to an all-time high of €312.8 billion, the CSO said.
It is almost triple the level of savings being made prior to the pandemic and has been driven by a combination of higher incomes and lower consumer spending.
Some €16 billion was added in deposits in 2020, far outstripping the the €12 billion added in 2006, at the height of the SSIA (Special Savings Incentives Accounts) scheme.
CSO statistician Peter Culhane said: "Households saved more than €31 billion in 2020, most of which is sitting on deposit with banks according to figures released by the CSO today.
"This is almost three times the level of saving before the pandemic and is the result of higher household incomes and lower consumer spending.
"Incomes for those who continued to work through the restrictions rose on average, while an €8.8 billion government intervention mitigated the decline in incomes for those out of work because of the pandemic.
"This extra saving brought household financial net worth to an all-time high of €312.8 billion in 2020.
"Wealth held in fixed assets such as houses is in addition to this.
"The addition of €16 billion in deposits was the biggest area for asset growth.
"For comparison, in 2006, at the height of the SSIAs, less than €12 billion was added to deposits.
"Saving also went into paying off debt (a decrease in loan liabilities), pensions and real assets like new homes."
But the savings boom for households also produced a decline in profits for Irish companies, particularly the travel and hospitality sectors, with revenues dropping by 8%.
In contrast, foreign multinational corporations, mainly operating in the fields of technology and pharmaceuticals, saw their profits surge by around 12%.
Ireland's GDP in 2020 was €373 billion, although experts warned the impact of the pandemic made key indicators such as this less meaningful.
Mr Culhane said: "Ireland's globalised economy complicates some of the common economic indicators, like GDP and private sector debt.
"The impact of the pandemic in 2020 also makes the usual headline indicators less meaningful.
"These statistics in the sector accounts provide a richer picture which analysts can use to delve more deeply into the structure and trends in the economy."
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Cook: 'We're not in the junk market segment'. Not on PRICE, anyway
You have to nail jelly to a few cats before you can do a good torture scene
QuoTW This is the week when fanbois around the world prepared for the launch of a new iPhone - and some other piece of rubbish called the 5C, though the C doesn't stand for cheap. When Tim Cook said that Apple was uninterested in the "junk business", just the day before the mobes went on sale, he was talking about price not quality.
The price starts at £469 for a SIM-free version of the brightly-coloured plastic jesus mobe. Cook told Businessweek:
There’s a segment of the market that really wants a product that does a lot for them, and I want to compete like crazy for those customers. I’m not going to lose sleep over that other market, because it’s just not who we are. Fortunately, both of these markets are so big, and there’s so many people that care and want a great experience from their phone or their tablet, that Apple can have a really good business.
The week started with an Apple attack from Microsoft, who are perhaps jealous of all the attention aimed at their arch-rival. Over the weekend, a video emerged which sent up the shiny happy of people of Cupertino. However, Microsoft then pulled the videos because their “light-hearted poke at our friends from Cupertino” was deemed “off the mark”.
The meanies at Microsoft did not stop two fanbois from queuing outside London's flagship Apple Store for three days in a bid to be the first to pick up the iPhone 5S. However, Westminster Council and the Crown Estate had other ideas and asked them to take down the temporary shelter they were using to shelter from the rain.
Michael Roberts said:
We didn't have hassle from anyone during the nights, apart from this man from the Crown Estate. I think he thought he were yobs and told us to take our greenhouse shelter down, saying that a lot of people pay huge sums of money to rent the shops on Regents Street and that staff as well as shoppers shouldn't have to look at a shanty town.
Grand Theft Auto V was released this week, featuring chilling torture scenes, a massive map and more casual murder than a mad dictator's final days. We also found out that making it was "like trying to nail jelly to kittens". In an interview with the Guardian, creative director Gary Penn said:
Anarchic almost makes it sound sexier than it really ought to be. It was just messy.
If you're worried about catching a virus, it might interest you to know that Phil Collins' daughter is the most infectious celeb. Click on her, said anti-virus outfit McAfee, and you'll get something nasty.
Paula Greve, director of web security research at McAfee, said:
Cybercriminals prey on consumers’ addiction to breaking news and leverage this behavior to lead them to unsafe sites that can severely infect their computers and devices and steal personal data.
It may not actually be a quote, but Linux overlord Linus Torvalds admitted he had been asked by US spooks to provide a backdoor into the operating system. Here's how our security supremo John Leyden put it:
During a question-and-answer session at the LinuxCon gathering in New Orleans this week, Torvalds and his fellow kernel programmers were asked by moderator Ric Wheeler whether America's G-men leaned on the Finn to compromise Linux's security, allowing spies to infiltrate computers.
Torvalds replied with a firm "no" while nodding his head to say yes, a response greeted with laughter from the audience. He quickly followed up by repeating "no" while shaking his head in the negative.
Google also announced plans to solve the tricky problems posed by death. Mountain View have started a company called Calico, which will focus on aging and illness. Page took to this Google + page to write:
OK ... so you're probably thinking, 'Wow! That's a lot different from what Google does today'. And you're right. But as we explained in our first letter to shareholders, there's tremendous potential for technology more generally to improve people's lives.
- Active Directory
- Apple M1
- App stores
- Exchange Server
- Internet Explorer
- Microsoft 365
- Microsoft Build
- Microsoft Edge
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Surface
- Microsoft Teams
- Office 365
- Patch Tuesday
- Samsung Galaxy Ace
- SQL Server
- Tim Cook
- Visual Studio
- Visual Studio Code
- Windows 10
- Windows 11
- Windows 7
- Windows 8
- Windows Server
- Windows Server 2003
- Windows Server 2008
- Windows Server 2012
- Windows Server 2013
- Windows Server 2016
- Windows XP
- Xbox 360


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Bentley Motors started construction on the UK’s largest solar-powered car port
Post date: 15/04/2018 - 15:35
British luxury car manufacturer Bentley Motors, part of German VW Group, started construction on the UK’s largest ever solar-powered car port at Bentley’s factory headquarters in Crewe, UK. The installation of 10,000 solar panels, which has a capacity of 2.7 Megawatt, will take approximately six months to complete. The solar car port installation, which covers 1,378 car parking spaces, and an area of 16,426 square meters, will be installed and operated by Flexi Solar. The system could cover 24 percent of Bentley’s electrical energy requirements.
Once completed, the car port will take Bentley’s energy system to 30,815 solar panels. This includes the 20,815 panel roof top installation completed in 2013.


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Plainview-based Rechler Equity Partners on Friday plans to open a sales office for the Hampton Business District at Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach.
Rechler Equity was tapped by Suffolk County in 2009 to develop the business park and it’s scheduled to break ground on the project later this year.
Totaling 440,000 square feet in seven buildings, available space at the 50-acre park will range from 2,000 square feet up to 100,000 square feet.
A 145-room hotel is also planned for the site, although an operator has yet to be chosen. Companies locating there will be eligible for tax benefits from the Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency and the state’s Excelsior Jobs program.
More breaking news
- Righting wrongs
- Strong start
- Power to (and from) the people
- Uber to pay $28.5M to settle safety ad lawsuits
- US retail sales rise as consumers shrug off stock price drop
- Sea of red as more than 1,000 attend AHA fundraiser
- Proposals sought to revitalize Republic Airport
- Magazine publisher Time Inc. buys what’s left of MySpace
- Priciest home sales in Lloyd Harbor
- Authorities reach $3.2B settlement with Morgan Stanley


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AI & Data Science
Get an understanding of the potential AI has for your business. We share solutions that reduce operational cost, increase profitability and improve the customer experience.
RPA is still settling into its role in the workforce, but does it also have the potential to help your HR team with recruiting new talent?
Starting this month, we’ll be doing a review on the most exciting bots being released across various industries. Now, it's the turn for Banking and Finance.
WeAreBrain attended the Chatbot Conference in Utrecht, and we took the opportunity to learn about the best industry practices from some of the big players.
Why is it important to make AI sound intelligent, funny, thoughtful or concerned? The answer lies on the bigger picture of what AI really is all about.
For this article, we explain how understanding your brand’s personality and it’s voice goes a long way to creating a chatbot for your business.


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Truly a work of art from the guys at V8 TV. They transformed a worn 69 Camaro into a Comp Cams Street Beauty.
Butler Performance has been in the business of building performance Pontiac engines for over 20 years. With the release of the later model Trans Am and GTO's, Butler made a natural progression to the build these newer performance engines on the LS platform.
The timing couldn't have been better for Comp Cams, an absolute leader in the performance parts industry. Comp has partnered with Butler Performance on many projects and reached out to Butler about its 1969 Camaro convertible slated to be restored. They needed a mean, performance street engine to power it. The teams partnered up and envisioned a naturally aspirated Butler LS swap street engine that could push out upwards of 700hp. Once all the details were finalized the build got underway.
Justin “Big Chief” Shearer
The Crow from Discovery Channel's Street Outlaws
Butler Performance is proud to continue powering the new Crow 2.0, "THE CROWMOD"! Congrats Chief on the new ride and we look forward to seeing you dominate in 2016 with Butler Power!
Justin unveiled the new Crow, now known as "Crowmod". Justin's original "The Crow" from Discovery Channel's Street Outlaws, before and after the crash that destroyed the original car.
Driver- Thomas Huddleston
Butler Performance Looks to Expand, Teams with Lowmad PX Entry for 2016 Season Butler Performance has long since been one of the top sources for high horsepower Pontiac and now LS combinations. Kings of the street, as proven by Street Outlaw Star “Big Chief”, the Butler Performance team is looking to expand into the Pro Modified parts world in 2016. To tap this market they have joined forces with the Huddleston Performance Pro Extreme entry known as the “Lowmad”.
The new partnership will see Butler Performance providing parts for the new AJPE 5.300 Hemi’s going into the infamous wagon. It will also see them expanding their parts line up to supply many of the replacement parts within today’s Pro Modified engines. Lowmad Driver Thomas Huddleston is excited to help bring the Butler Performance Team into the Pro Modified ranks, “We’re very pleased to announce our partnership with David and the guys at Butler Performance. We’ve known them a number of years through our Jr. Dragster ties, and have been discussing a partnership on the Lowmad for a few months now. Seeing their business grow to a point where we can hopefully help them from a marketing standpoint is exciting for all of us involved.”